With the warm, fresh air, the slight breeze from the ocean, and just the overall relaxing nature of the atmosphere, I can almost taste a Piña colada now just thinking about it.

It is the perfect relaxing getaway, a quick way to get a dark tan, and the perfect place to rock some of the hottest summer looks.

However, the beach has its own dress code. Most likely, you won’t find many people rocking Nordstrom’s Topshop Clear Mom Jeans that sent the internet into a frenzy earlier this year.

You will find beach-goers rocking more laid back and light outfits.

So, whether you are hanging out in the sand or just headed out for a casual dinner by the beach, here are 10 tips for rocking your beach look this summer:

1. You can’t go wrong with the floppy hat
From the immense amount of shade provided to the fact that you basically don’t have to do your hair if you wear it all day…
Just throw in the added bonus that it is absolutely adorable and you just can’t pass up throwing a staple floppy hat into your beach look this summer.
Perfect for on the beach soaking up the sun, off the beach enjoying some fish and chips, or even later on when it is Derby time – you are sure to be rocking this staple beach look even once summer is over.

2. Make your favorite kimono your new swimsuit cover-up
When you’re going to the beach, it is no secret you are looking for something light and airy, but also something that shows off a little skin since you spent all year working on your summer body.
Remember that kimono you bought last spring to wear with skinny’s and a cute tank? Time to pull it back out because it doubles as a simple and fashionable bikini cover-up.

3. The iconic white dress
Everyone girl who has been to the beach for years in a row probably has a family – or individual – picture in a white dress.
A solid white dress is a staple beach look every year. Grab one now and save it for next year, too! It is the outfit that just keeps giving as you use it year and year again.

4. Shop for the crop top
Crop tops are a trendy way to beat the summer heat. Try pairing it with your favorite floral maxi skirt for a cool and fashionable formal look.
These make a great pair for a night out!

5. Printed palazzo pants
The loose-fitting style makes them super comfy, while still being super fashionable.
These are great for when you just need to slip something on super quick but still want to look like a million bucks.

6. Graphic tees
Graphic tees are probably not the first thing that come to mind when you think “summer beach look,” but…
The quirky labels found on them can be beach-related. Find a graphic tee that expresses how feel about the beach so you can sport the beach even when you can’t be there.

7. Big, button up
Like the kimono, a button up that is just a size too big can make the great bikini cover-up.
It is light and can be buttoned all the way up to protect your upper body from sun rays or left unbuttoned to show off your swimsuit while still shading your shoulders.

8. Jean shorts
Jean shorts are just a summer staple in general. But, they are even better for your summer beach look!
Throw a pair of jean shorts over your swimsuit and leave them unbuttoned for a casual, trendy beach look.

10. Large handbag
Once you have your outfit just right, it’s time to focus on getting your towel and shades to the beach.
Grab a large handbag to double as a purse and a beach bag. Large handbags without any dividers in the middle are the best so that you can just throw everything in it without organizing it.

Earlier this season we saw pink and other bright hues make its way onto runway shows, in other words onto the eyes, cheeks and lips of models creating princess feel that has now made its way amongst celebs who have been rocking pink all over the red carpets lately.

Soft pink and shimmery rose shades are being used as blush, eye shadow and even on the lips that throws us back to that Californian teenager look.

Draping, replacing the ever popular contouring technique, has made a comeback in the beauty world and is being used for a more intense or avant-garde look by wearing your blush all the way up on the corner of your cheeks and to the side of your eyes.

Wearing the honored designer, Riri managed to top her infamous 2015 Met Gala Guo Pei gown. As we expected nothing less from her, Rihanna was the talk of the night with this perfect interpretation of “Fashion is art”.

Katy Perry in Maison Margiela

Definitely the risk taker of the night but the whole ensemble is confusing. Katy Perry looks miserable and trapped inside a red cage.

The best dressed:

Gigi Hadid in Tommy Hilfiger

Gigi made Avant-Garde sexy in a nude tulle dress by sportswear designer Tommy Hilfiger with yes, a leg pop!

Cara Delevingne in Chanel

Nobody rocks a suit on the red carpet better than Cara Delevingne. This sleek, shiny and sexy evening suit is everything and that pixie hair-do is such a clever accessory!

Zendaya in Dolce & Gobbana

In this tropical print full ball skirt, Zendaya is the epitome of romanticism.

Lily Collins in Giambattista Valli

Punk-Princess? Lily tapped into her dark side and showed us an edgier side of her and we don’t hate it!

Priyanka Chopra in Ralph Lauren

I dare you to rock an oversized trench coat better than Priyanka. With the sleeves pushed up, a bold makeup and THAT TRAIN, Priyanka looked fierce on the red carpet.

Not on theme:

Jennifer Lopez in Valentino

JLo graced a gorgeous light blue dress that invites us to a night on the Côte d’Azur rather than the Met Gala. But when you look this ethereal who cares right?

Blake Lively in Versace

As stunning as she looks (I mean when doesn’t she?) this dress is almost too “common” or “typical” for Blake. I would’ve loved for her to have raised the bar last night and show a bit more creativity. This isn’t Cannes after all.

Kylie Jenner in Versace and Kendall Jenner in La Perla

Although both dazzling dresses, I’m not sure how they fit the theme… Both dresses seem more appropriate for a Gatsby theme than an homage to Kawakubo.

Selena Gomez in Coach.

The past couple of years we’ve seen Selena Gomez transition from “good girl” to a more sexy and mature woman. But last night’s choice of dress was a deception. Although nothing wrong with the aesthetic of the dress, Selena looked too “sweet”. Gomez’ dress lacked the boldness that usually accompanies her on the red carpet, but her daring makeup more than makes up for this.

Football, (soccer to Americans) is called “the world’s sport” and “the beautiful game”. As football players gain celebrity status, it is no wonder that they become supermodels or brand ambassadors to some fashion brand. Since the days of Pele, the world has looked at football players not only for the latest in style but also for inspiration. As the worlds of sports and fashion have been intertwining over the years, it can be said that football and fashion go hand in hand.

Some of the most popular players have their own clothing line or have a collaboration with fashion brands. We’ve all drooled (hopefully just us girls) at Cristiano Ronaldo’s underwear line CR7 and David Beckham’s collection with H&M. Following their footsteps at only 28 years old, is our very own Donald Guerrier, left midfielder of Haiti’s national football team.

After opening a store in Poland last year, Donald Guerrier opened a second store this March in the city of Alnyaspor Turkey where he is currently residing and playing for the Alnyaspor football club. His newest 77 Collection showcases his latest designs in sports and casual wear.

I’ve had the chance to meet and talk to Donald regarding his new 77 collection, and here is what he had to say:

FA: What does fashion mean to you and how did you get from playing football to having your own clothing line? What inspired you to have a clothing line?

Fashion means a lot to me, I love clothes in general and Cristiano Ronaldo is my favorite soccer player, and my inspiration in both football and fashion. The idea of having my own clothing line came from my mom. She pushed me to have my own line and together we came with brand name DG 77 at first, and eventually changed it to 77 Collection (pronounced 7 to 7) as 7 is my number.

FA: Do you design your own collection?

Yes they are my own designs, I designed the collection myself. And it’s taken me some time to come with the perfect name 77, to make it simpler and nicer.

FA: Does your Haitian heritage influence your designs?Euhh… Not really, only my mom gave me some ideas for my collection, but my Haitian heritage does not really influence my designs.

FA: What kind of material do you use for your collection?I’m using 100% cotton

FA: What is your favorite piece in this collection?*laughs* Actually I don’t have a favorite one, I love all of them!

FA: How often do you plan on releasing a new collection?Every two weeks we have new styles and new designs coming

FA: How would you describe your personal style?I like complicated clothes, distressed clothes to be exact. I like T-shirts with holes in them that look destroyed.

FA: What is your favorite item of clothing? And what’s a must have in your closet?T-shirts and jackets! In my closet I must have white T-shirts, I love white T-shirts.

FA: What are your future plans? Are you planning to open another store somewhere else?I’m planning to open a store in the U.S. I’m working towards that because a lot of people from the U.S are interested in my designs.

FA: Would you want to work on a line for women as well?Yes I am thinking about it a clothing line for women, it is in my future plans and also kids’ clothes

FA: Are we going to see any of your collections in Haiti?Yes, last year I brought my collection to Haiti but it wasn’t as successful back then but it is in my plan to bring my designs back to Haiti and eventually open a store in Haiti.

On October 1st, I was invited to the soft opening of a new hair salon called “Eklà Beauté” located on Rue Rebecca. Stepping inside the small salon, I was greeted by a calm and relaxing music, along with a soothing and zen decor: wooden furniture and accent pieces, candles, and Buddha heads, designed by owner Christina Fils-Aimé. I was instantly filled with an overwhelming peaceful sensation, which I thought was very odd for a hair salon.

But that was exactly her goal. To create a small place where her clients can leave their worries and workload outside while getting pampered. A place where her clients can be fully attended to without being rushed and without the crowdedness of typical hair salons. A place that works by appointment only because one on one is extremely important. “I want it to be 100% about my clients. I want them to walk out feeling good about themselves and with a smile on their faces. That’s what I enjoy most of my job, to be able to put a smile on my clients’ faces”.

For us women, getting our hair and nails done is a weekly obligation. Be it to get a wash and blow dry, a hair coloring, or simply a mani-pedi, us women spend a minimum of 2 hours getting dolled-up at the hair salon on week-ends. Needless to say that hair salons have become a meeting point, or better yet a social encounter where the latest gossips travel under the boisterous sound of hair dryers.

If you are looking to escape the cacophony of hair salons, then Eklà Beauté is the “getaway” salon for you. While her specialty is hair coloring and hair treatment, Tina also offers various other salon services such as blow dries, hairdos, mani-pedi, and makeup with also a selection of hair products available for sale.

Christina, “Tina” left Haiti at the age of 18 and moved to New York. There, she became a hair colorist and makeup artist and worked in many hair salons before eventually working for Kérastase and L’Oréal. At 30 years old, she moved back to Haiti and left the hair and makeup business. However her love for fashion and hair care pushed her to go back to the hair business. “Everybody has their own beauty, and as long as I can bring that out for them, to me is priceless.”

Eklà Beauté is open Monday-Saturday from 8AM-5PM by appointments only. To get your special treatment, call 4700-1212.

On Friday I had the opportunity to fly to Jeremie, one of the many towns that was severely hit by hurricane Matthew. I got to see for myself what remains of this town after the passage of Matthew and for as much as I try to share my quick visit there, words fall short to describe what I saw.

It was as if the angel of desolation had passed through the town. Houses, schools and hospitals are completely destroyed, plantations are devasted, and what’s left of the roads are covered in sludge and full of debris. In other words, the town is entirely washed out.

I am not going to fill this article with heart wrenching pictures and videos nor am I going to continue describing the desolate state in which these people are left. I am however, going to ask for each and every one of your help. The storm may have passed but tough times are only beginning. Thousands of people were left homeless and infections and contaminations are just starting. While many charitable organizations, NGOs, and foreign aids are collecting donations and are preparing relief missions to help the affected areas, I strongly suggest to do research before donating to the organization of your choice. Jeremie is only one of the towns that was harshly affected. Let’s not forget Les Cayes, Aquin, Port-Salut, Miragoanes, Anse d’Hainault, Dame-Marie, île à Vache to name just a few. A little bit can do so much and during these harsh times, let us keep in mind our nation’s motto: “l’union fait la force“.

Sow a Seed organization preparing hurricane relief mission for the South

Fondation Rose et Blanc giving out shelters to the South

Haiti is a country that has suffered enough. From a devastating earthquake, to numerous hurricanes and flooding, to dangerous and unstable political turmoils, the Haitian people always manage to come through and overcome these hard times by always holding on to one thing: faith.

25 years old, 5ft9, a degree in optometry, and a charming smile, Raquel Pelissier is our new Miss Universe Haiti 2016.

Born and raised in Haiti, Raquel is passionate about aerial skills (acrobatics hanging from a fabric), she practices cross fit regularly, and enjoys cooking and reading on her free time. She is currently finishing her master’s degree in scientific research, her love for Haiti pushed her to apply for the Miss Haiti pageant to accomplish her life long dream of being able to represent her country and will do so at the Miss Universe pageant in the Philippines in January.

10 questions with Miss Universe Haiti 2016

What incited you to apply for miss haiti ?I chose to apply for the Miss Haiti pageant because I wanted to represent my country. I realized that Haiti is the foundation of the woman I am today. I am Haiti. Winning a crown is my way of giving back to the land that bore me since it gives me the opportunity to expose its colors and culture abroad. I want to change the way the rest of the world sees us and make a good impact.

Who inspires you?I am truly inspired by an author who fights for protocol and values in the Haitian society. Her name is Galy and I have the honor to be her daughter. I admire her so much that I want to continue what she started and pass on everything she had thought me for a better education in the society.

What are some challenges you encountered during the pageant?One of the challenges I encountered in the pageant was, having to be on my heels sometimes at 5 am and looking pretty. Those moments were truly those which made me realized not only that my goal was not easy but also that I was determined enough to make sacrifices to reach it.

Another challenge is to always be ready. Most of the time when they were filming us, we only had one shot so we had to make sure to give our best.

What are some of the best moments you shared during the competition?My two favorite moments were the first and last day of the pageant. The first day because it was a day full of excitement during which I met all the candidates that have been selected for the competition and the last day because it was the day I realized that participating in Miss Haiti 2016 was the best choice I have ever made.

How was/is your diet as a miss haiti contestant? Any diet or fitness tips you can share with us?I wouldn’t say I’m on a diet I have just adopted a lifestyle about four years which consists of eating healthy and working out around 8-9 hours a week. However, now that I am going to compete internationally I have to go on a strict diet and add more cardio to my routine so as to lose a few more pounds. My tip is to always be aware of what you are putting into your system. Read or do your research because nothing is more valuable than health.

How were your relationship with the other contestant?During the pageant, I got along pretty well with all the contestants. I am truly grateful to have met all these dedicated and strong women with a great vision and love for the country. I never felt like I was competing against them. My only competitor has always been myself.

Have you felt at some point of the competition that someone else might win?When I applied for Miss Haiti, I was aiming the Miss Universe Crown. I knew I fit the international standards to represent Haiti in this pageant since Miss Universe is about being confidently beautiful, elegant and classy. Even though, I never felt threatened by anyone, I had recognized the strong contestants of the pageant and I have learned a lot from them which gave me a stronger reason to focus and do my best at all times.

As a contestant, what are your thoughts on the miss haiti organization? And what do you think can be done in order to improve the organization and the process?I personally think that the Miss Haiti Organization did an amazing job. It is tough work handling 20 young women. Behind the scenes, there was good energy and team spirit but also moments of tears and tension and they always kept things in order at all times so they really deserve the credit for that. For improvement, I would propose to add to the agenda more hours public speaking, protocol classes and runway so as to make a greater impact.

What’s next for you as miss universe haiti? When and where will you go to the miss universe competition?I will represent Haiti in the 65th edition of Miss Universe in Philippines in January. Before that, I am also going to Bolivia to represent Haiti in Reina hispanoamericana in November.

What can we expect from you as miss universe haiti? Any special project or vision you can share with us ?My project for Haiti consists of teaching the youth manners and values. I also want to fight for community service to be included at school so that everyone can contribute for a cleaner and better Haiti.